Ivan Parfenoff joined the Shriver Center in 2017 after completing his Master of Arts in History from the University of Chicago, where he also received his undergraduate degree. While at the University of Chicago, he helped found, lead, and volunteer as a "Circle Keeper" for the Chicago Peace Corps, a restorative justice group that continues to operate in two elementary schools in the Back of the Yards Neighborhood, as well as Students for Sensible Drug Policy. Parfenoff is also an experienced community organizer, having worked on President Obama's 2012 reelection campaign and Chuy Garcia's 2015 mayoral bid, and organized workers in Englewood and Gage Park. Parfenoff has interned as a summer law clerk at the Cook County Public Defender's office.